Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction vessel for fuel cells, and more particular to a reaction vessel capable of obtaining reaction temperature promptly at the time of initial operation and a reaction device to form a reforming device of the fuel cell using the same. The reaction device of the present invention includes a reaction vessel that includes a monolithic chain. The monolithic chain has a first wall, a second wall, and a layer of pleats interposed between the first wall and the second wall. A plurality of openings are formed on each of the top side and the bottom side of the monolithic chain. One of the first wall and the second wall being made of an insulating material. The layer of pleats is made of a conductive material, and electric power is applied to generate heat at initial reaction operation. Once the reaction is activated, the reaction vessel produces heat through an oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A reformer of a fuel cell system is disclosed. One embodiment of the reformer includes a reforming reactor generating reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming hydrogen-containing fuel; and a CO remover removing carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas generated from the reforming reactor, wherein the CO remover is disposed to be inclined in a predetermined angle to a moving path of the reformed gas exhausted from the reforming reactor and connected to the reforming reactor so as to communicate fluid therebetween, whereby the CO remover is not subject to the heat energy effect by a heat transfer effect due to air convection from the reforming reactor, making it possible to keep the CO remover an optimal state to improve reforming efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel reformer using radiation comprises: a reforming reactor including a reforming catalyst for shifting fuel into a desired substance; a heater for supplying heat to the reforming catalyst; and a transparent inner wall positioned between the reforming reactor and the heater. With the present invention, the heat energy of the heater is transferred to the reforming catalyst in a radiation form so that the thermal efficiency of the fuel reformer can be improved.

Abstract: A PROX reactor integrated with a heat exchanger and an operating method thereof capable of effectively controlling temperature of a preferential oxidation reactor so as to obtain optimal activation and yield. The PROX reactor integrated with a heat exchanger of the present invention includes a pipe having an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchanger cooling gas passing through the pipe, a catalyst part positioned at the rear end of the heat exchanger, upon considering the flow of gas, and shifting carbon monoxide contained in the gas into other substances; and a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the gas coming out through the catalyst part.

Abstract: Disclosed are a carbon monoxide remover and a fuel cell reformer including the same. In the reformer, a reformed gas produced from a reforming reaction unit when the reformer is initially driven is used as a fuel for a heat source unit supplying heat to a water gas shift reaction unit. The carbon monoxide remover is connected to the reforming reaction unit that changes fuel into reformed gas with hydrogen. The carbon monoxide remover lowers carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas. The carbon monoxide remover includes a heat source unit employing the reformed gas as a fuel; and a water gas shift reaction unit provided with a shift catalyst using heat from the heat source unit. The shift catalyst lowers the concentration of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas through reaction between water and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell system which includes a generator, a reformer generating a reformed gas by reforming a gaseous fuel and water and supplying the reformed gas to the generator. A fuel tank stores the gaseous fuel in a liquid state by compressing the gaseous fuel and supplying the gaseous fuel to the reformer. A water supply device supplies the water to the reformer. The water supply device includes a container connected to the fuel tank and the reformer and contains the water and the gaseous fuel with a pressure. A separation layer is formed on the surface of the water in the container for blocking a contact of the gaseous fuel with the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reformer for a fuel cell. The reformer for a fuel cell includes a reforming reactor generating reformed gas having abundant hydrogen gas by reforming fuel and steam and a standing shape of a water gas shift reactor coupled to the reforming reactor for lowering the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas. The water gas shift reactor has an opening. A pipe is coupled to the opening and has a portion located below the opening. Liquid water which may stay in the inside at the time that the operation stops can be drained out of the water gas shift reactor to prevent the water gas shift catalyst from being submerged in liquid water.

Abstract: A reforming reaction unit for a reformer, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. One embodiment of the reforming reaction unit includes: a cylindrical structure having a hollow space inside thereof; a cover surrounding the outer surface of the cylindrical structure; and a disc plate having a plurality of holes and directly contacting the inner surface of the cover at a predetermined position of the cylindrical structure in a lengthwise direction. The cylindrical structure includes an upper part above the disc plate. The upper part has a thread formed on its outer surface. The thread is in direct contact with the inner surface of the cover. The cylindrical structure also includes a lower part below the disc plate. The lower part has an outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface of the cover.

Abstract: The carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst for a reformer of a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes an active material including Au—Ag alloy nano-particles, and a carrier supporting the active material.

Abstract: A fuel cell system with a purging device and a method for stopping the operation of a fuel cell system comprising: a reforming device comprising a heat source unit to generate combustion heat to supply a reforming unit with heat to catalytically reform fuel to a hydrogen rich reforming gas; a fuel cell stack to generate electric energy by electrochemically reacting the reforming gas with an oxidizer and having an anode supplied with the reforming gas and a cathode supplied with the oxidizer therein; and a purging device to block the reforming gas and the oxidizer from the fuel cell stack and to supply an exhaust gas from the heat source unit into the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The reformer for a fuel cell system includes a reforming reaction part that generates hydrogen gas from a fuel through a catalyst reforming reaction using heat energy, and a carbon monoxide reducing part that reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide in the hydrogen gas, through an oxidizing reaction of hydrogen gas with the oxidant. The carbon monoxide reducing part includes a first reducing part including a first carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst and a second reducing part including a second carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst for a reformer of a fuel cell system comprises: a compound including selenium oxide, tellurium oxide, bismuth oxide, or a combination thereof; copper oxide; and cesium oxide.

Abstract: A heater for heating a reformer of a fuel cell system includes a combustion chamber having a combustion catalyst layer; a distributor having an inner space and uniformly distributing a combustion fuel and an oxidant flowing along the inner space to the combustion catalyst layer of the combustion chamber; and an igniter igniting the combustion fuel and the oxidant, wherein the igniter is placed in the inner space of the distributor. Thus, the igniter is protected from combustion heat of the combustion catalyst layer and thus has improved durability.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reformer with a plurality of heaters for precisely controlling the temperature thereof, and a fuel cell system using the same. The fuel cell system is constructed with an electric generator that generates electricity through electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a pump that supply the electric generator with oxygen in the air, a reformer that supplies the electric generator with hydrogen, a water container that supplies the reformer with water, and a fuel container that supplies the reformer with reforming fuel containing hydrogen and inflammable combustion fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body to generate electrical energy using a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; a reformer to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming fuel and to supply the reformed gas to the fuel cell body; a fuel tank to store the fuel in a partially liquefied state and to supply the fuel to the reformer; a case to encase the fuel cell body and the reformer; and a refrigeration unit attached to the case to store ambient air of the fuel tank, the ambient air of the fuel tank being cooled by latent heat of vaporization of the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus including reaction substrates is provided. The reaction substrates of the present invention is made of stainless steel, nickel steel, or chromium steel. Each of the reaction substrates has a channel formed on the surface of the reaction substrate. Reactant for oxidation reaction or for fuel reforming reaction flow through the channel. A catalyst containing layer is formed on the surface of the channel by directly oxidizing the surface of the channel. Therefore, the catalyst containing layer is formed with oxidized steel. A catalyst layer is formed on the catalyst containing layer. A pair of substrates can be laminated to make one substrate a thermal source unit and another a reforming reaction unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises: a fuel container for storing fuel liquefied with pressure; a reformer for generating hydrogen from the fuel through a catalyst reaction based on heat energy; an electric generator for generating electricity by transforming energy of an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy; a condenser for condensing water produced in the electric generator; and a heat exchanger passing through the condenser for cooling the condenser by latent heat of the fuel. With this configuration, cooling water cooled by latent heat of a fuel container is employed to cool the condenser without using a separate cooler. Furthermore, air is mixed with butane fuel without using a separate power unit, so that it is possible to achieve a more compact and highly efficient fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel reforming system and a fuel cell system including the same, the fuel reforming system including: a fuel reformer adapted to produce a reformed gas having hydrogen as a main component from a fuel containing hydrogen; a carbon monoxide (CO) remover adapted to remove carbon monoxide from the reformed gas; a heat source adapted to supply heat energy to the reformer and the CO remover; and a moving unit adapted to move the heat source between the fuel reformer and the CO remover. With this configuration, the fuel reformer and the CO remover can be directly heated by a heat source. Then, when the temperature of the CO remover reaches a catalyst activation temperature, the heat source can be moved to directly heat only the fuel reformer, thereby enhancing a reforming effect and a power generation efficiency of the fuel reforming system.

Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger for use in a fuel cell system that has a fuel cell stack and a reformer is provided. The heat exchanger includes a substrate and a pair of cover plates. The substrate has a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. The substrate is disposed between the cover plates, and combined with the cover plates to form a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway is formed in the first face and circulates steam discharged from the fuel cell stack. The steam or water condensed from the steam is supplied to a water supply source. The second passageway is formed in the second face, and circulates water supplied from the water supply source. The water is supplied to the reformer after the circulation. The heat exchanger of the present invention improves performance and efficiency of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus which generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a fuel and supplies the reformed gas to a fuel cell body is provided. The fuel reforming apparatus is constructed with a burner which generates a flame by burning the fuel together with the atmospheric air, a reforming reactor which receives thermal energy of the flame and generates the reformed gas through a reforming reaction between the fuel and steam, an evaporator in which a pipeline for allowing the fuel and water to flow is disposed in the direction of the flame sprayed from the burner, with the water being evaporated by using the flame and the fuel and steam being supplied to the reforming reactor, and a spraying unit which is disposed in a direction of the sprayed flame to spray additional air into the evaporator.